What if just one hour of your time could help grow thousands of pounds of fresh food for local families?

In just one month — on March 16th — the Kane Street Community Garden officially opens for the season, and we could not be more excited to dig back in.

Each year, this garden transforms into more than just rows of fruits and vegetables — it becomes a place where community grows right alongside the produce. Volunteers of all ages come together to plant, weed, harvest, laugh, learn, and make a real, tangible difference for neighbors facing food insecurity.

This season, our goal is to grow and distribute 30,000 pounds of fresh produce back into our community by the end of the season.

That’s 30,000 pounds of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, greens, and more — all headed to families in our community who might not otherwise have access to fresh, nutritious food.

And the truth is… we can’t do it without our volunteers.

The heart of Kane Street Community Garden has always been the people who show up — whether it’s their first time holding a garden trowel or they’ve been gardening for decades. One of the most beautiful things about this space is that you don’t need any gardening experience to volunteer. We’ll teach you everything you need to know — from planting seeds to harvesting produce.

Volunteering in the garden is hands-on, meaningful, and surprisingly fun. You’ll spend time outdoors, meet incredible people, learn new skills, and see the direct impact of your work grow week by week.

There’s something special about watching a tiny seed turn into a harvest that feeds your community.

As we count down the final weeks to opening day, we’re actively looking to welcome new volunteers into the garden family. Whether you can help once a week, once a month, or just a few times throughout the season — every hour makes a difference.

Ready to get your hands a little dirty for a great cause?

We’d love to have you join us this season. Please fill out our online volunteer application to get started and be part of something that truly grows hope from the ground up.

Let’s make this our most impactful garden season yet. 🌿

It’s hard to imagine walking into the grocery store and not knowing if you’ll have enough to fill your cart. But for many families across our region, that’s the reality right now.

Week after week, our partner programs are seeing more people come through the doors of food pantries — families who never thought they’d need help. Parents working full-time but unable to keep up with rising grocery costs. Seniors stretching their budgets until there’s nothing left. And neighbors who once donated to food drives are now finding themselves in line at a food pantry.

Our Executive Director, Shelly Fortner, found the best description, it‘s a “perfect storm.”

The timing of this year’s Virtual Food Drive couldn’t be more critical. Food insecurity continues to climb, fueled by higher food prices, increased demand, and recent cuts to vital safety net programs like expanded SNAP (food assistance) benefits. For many households, the end of those expanded benefits was the tipping point — the difference between getting by and going without.

Our community’s need has grown, but our mission remains the same: to ensure everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food. And that’s where you come in.

Every Dollar You Give Truly Makes A Difference

Now through the end of October, your support during our 3rd Annual Virtual Food Drive helps fill pantry shelves, stock youth programs, and deliver meals to families right here in our region. And thanks to a generous anonymous match donor, your gift will be doubled — up to $5,000 — allowing your generosity to go twice as far.

That means your $25 becomes $50, feeding twice as many families.
Your $100 becomes $200, helping ensure food is there when people need it most.

A Little Fun with a Big Impact

We know times are tough — but that doesn’t mean we can’t bring some fun to the fight against hunger.
This year, we’ve added a lighthearted twist:

• When donations reach $30,000, our Programs Coordinator Nicole will get pied in the face!
• And when we hit $50,000, our Executive Director Shelly will join the fun!

It’s all in good spirit, but behind the whipped cream and laughter lies a serious truth — the need is real, and the impact of your donation is immediate.

Be Part of the Solution

When you give to the Virtual Food Drive, you’re not just donating money — you’re providing comfort, stability, and dignity to neighbors facing one of life’s most basic challenges. You’re helping parents pack lunches, ensuring seniors have enough to eat, and giving families one less thing to worry about.

This is a moment that calls for community. A moment to show up for one another. And a moment to turn compassion into action.

 Join us today at Lacrossehtf.org/fooddrive to donate, share, and help spread the word. Your support means twice the meals, twice the impact, and a stronger, more caring community for all.

Together, we can weather this perfect storm — and make sure no one faces hunger alone.

A Taste of the Garden 2024 was a huge success! We would like to once again thank Tom Conrad for an amazing performance and our generous guests, volunteers, vendors, and sponsors.

A Taste of the Garden 2024 Sponsors

Master Gardener Sponsors – Altra Federal Credit Union

Greenhouse Sponsors – Fowler & Hammer, Inc. and Cleary Management Corporation

Bed Sponsors – Borton Construction, Inc., Dairyland Power Cooperative, Brewer Investment Group, Hanson & Associates, and Kujak Orthodontics

Row Sponsors – Morrie’s Onalaska Chevrolet and Bagniefski Heating & Air Conditioning

Plant Sponsors – Ron Hammes Refrigeration, JavaVino, Lackore Electric Motor Repair, Engelson and Associates, Ltd., HSR Associates, Inc., PeopleFirst Leadership Partners, Inc., and Dovetail Counsel

A Taste of the Garden 2024 Vendors

Turtle Stack Brewery, Pasture Pride Cheese Retail Store, Carbliss, Ardie’s Flipside Pub & Grill, Lost Island Wine, LLC., Hope Restores/Black Student Leaders, Olive Garden, Howie’s on La Crosse, Bluff Top Vineyard & Winery, GPC Bverage, River View Vineyard & Winery, Hoch Orchard and Gardens, and Pearl Street Brewery.